Preservatives In Skin Care

Can Cosmetic Preservatives Be Petro-chemical Free?

In my search for petro-chemical free ingredients for Amaravati, I come across a plethora of alternatives to protect skin care products from developing fungi, yeast, bacteria and molds.  Some form of preservative system is necessary to protect your product from falling rancid; it is vital to prevent substances from harming consumers and causing us to become ill.  Preservatives are a priority ingredient for the product and consumers’ well-being.

 When reading the ingredient list of your skincare products you may find chemical and petro-chemical agents listed alongside natural ingredients.  There are, however, also natural ingredients and essential oils that can inhibit the development of microorganisms. Many of these ingredients have powerful anti-oxidative qualities. 

For those interested in learning more about skin care preservatives, here a concise list of some more common preservatives for you to be aware of while reading the back of your product label. 

Parabens

Though Amaravati products do not contain it, Parabens are a class of petro-chemicals widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Parabens are effective preservatives in many types of formulas. These compounds are used primarily for their bactericidal and fungicidal properties. They can be found in shampoos, commercial moisturizers, shaving gels, personal lubricants, topical pharmaceuticals, spray tanning solution and toothpaste. They are also used as food additives. It should be noted that parabens are a controversial ingredient, due to claims to their links to various health issues, including breast cancer. 

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), also known as citrus seed extract, is a liquid derived from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of grapefruit.  This extract has been stated by some practitioners of alternative medicine to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties. Some marketers of GSE affirm this extract to be a safe, natural, and an effective preservative.  GSE has come under attack for a couple of reasons. One, it has been shown to be an unstable preservative. Second, GSE has come under scrutiny because some commercial grapefruit seed extracts have been found to contain benzethonium chloride, a synthetic antimicrobial agent.

According to the Swiss Toxicological Information Center: “Grapefruit seed extracts containing benzethonium chloride in concentrations of 7-11% represent a major health risk if larger amounts of a concentrated solution are ingested (i.e. by mouth). Exposure of the skin or the eye may cause toxic symptoms. The Swiss Toxicological Information Center discourages consumers from administration of these extracts unless it is known which of them are containing benzethonium chloride and what the concentrations are”.

The following list of 5 ingredients, used together, are providing a viable alternative to using parabens as preservative agents:

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is not only a powerful antioxidant, but an effective skin moisturizer. Vitamin E is oil soluble.   Gamma tocopherol, a component of Vitamin E, is an aid used in conjunction with other natural ingredients to protect cosmetic formulations. There are 2 types of vitamin E oil available: natural (d-tocopherol) and synthetic (dl-tocopherol). Only the natural vitamin E has antioxidant value.

Neem Oil

Since the ancient times of Sanskrit in India, Neem oil has been used for its many various properties, including both antifungal and antibacterial. Today, it’s known as one of the most powerful of all botanical oils available.

Rooibos Tea Extract

Rooibos Extract has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and Free Radical Scavenging properties, based partly on its flavonoid composition, minerals and polyphenols

Rosemary Oleoresin

Rosemary Oleoresin, also known as Rosemary Oil Extract or ROE is an oil soluble, natural extract used to prevent oxidation and delay rancidity in natural oils and products that contain oils.  Rosemary Oleoresin also demonstrates antimicrobial characteristics.

Black Willow Bark

 Black Willow Bark has been shown to possess potent antimicrobial properties. Herbalists have long used Black Willow Bark for the treatment of fever, pain (especially pain in the lower back), headaches, and inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. Its in vitro antimicrobial activity is demonstrated to resist Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes.

When combined together in proper proportions, the natural ingredients listed above, particularly Vitamin E, Neem Oil, Rooibos Tea Extract, ROE, and Black Willow Bark can provide a natural preservation system that allows your skin care products to have a shelf life of up to 18 months.

Knowing what you put on your skin is extremely important, and learning which preservative is petro-chemical free is essential for your body’s wellbeing.  Your comments are more than welcome.